THE MERCY OF THE COURT

The problem of delinquency confronts Judge Andrew Evans of Elm City, Michigan, and the sentence he will impose on young Robert Heberman, guilty of an armed robbery attempt, gives him a chance to salvage a life- at the expense of his own. For Evans has been tapped to run in an election for the Supreme Court- but a lenient sentence for Heberman, at a time when the community is aroused against teen age misdemeanours, will antagonize public sentiment. As the facts are brought in on Heberman and his home-a drinking father, a lying mother- the Judge cannot help but feel that this boy has never had a chance, and writing off his own hopes and ambitions, he gives it to him.... A topical trouble zone, toned down, and the stereotypes of character and conflict will not stir up much interest.